It's rare that anything posted on the Internet is met with any emotion other than disdain, so we were touched and impressed by the warm response to a Best of Craigslist post called "A Letter to My Dead Girlfriend." Written by an anonymous guy from Chicago, the original letter is not a plea for any services or help, it's just one man's heartbreaking attempt to update his girlfriend on what's going on with him -- and her friends -- since she passed away. Once it hit Reddit, however, people started responding with their own tales of grief and coping, and it quickly became a massive group therapy session.
People are of course wondering if the original poster is real, since he never included an email address, but if his post was able to help so many people open up about grief in their own lives, I don't know that it even matters. Here's text of the original Craigslist post:
It has been a rough year darling. The ethereal power of Craig's List will get this message to you I am sure, like in some sort of cheesy 80s movie.
Well back to the last year, you of course died at the beginning of it which put things to a sour start. I spent last night with your mum and dad, we went to that Italian place in Wicker Park, who on the surface seem to be coping. I had everyone get together for my 25th which went well, your ladies are on top form and I think some engagements are brewing. Ellen is turning up the heat on Steve who will soon be forced down to one knee as you predicted.
Last weekend I finally took the step of cleaning out your clothes from the closet, which is very barren now. I invited your friends over to take your what they liked, it was an awkward session. I think they took them more as a favor to me than anything else. Liz cried when we pulled out all of your shoes, Miranda joined in and then Catherine broke down. It was strange to stand in our bedroom surrounded by three crying girls. I made a joke about them crying for joy at the prospect of some free Manolo Balhniks which they didn't seem to find very funny.
A few girls have put the moves on and as you know picking up women is not a forte of mine. It seems the grieving boyfriend seems to be a good angle. Who knew! I went on one date and spent it talking about you, the poor girl. You would have found it quite witty I think. No other dates to report, I am going against your orders to move on for now.
I found one of those hair tie things that somehow managed to squeeze into every crevice in the apartment. It was under the bed. I sat on the floor holding it and cried. Until then I had held everything together but it just all came flooding out.
Every morning when I wake up I forget for a fraction of a second that you are gone and I reach for you. All I ever find is the cold side of the bed. My eyes settle on the picture of us in Paris, on the bedside table, and I am overjoyed that even though the time was brief I loved you and you loved me.
Love,
P.
The original post is found here, and the Reddit comments are found here. If you have any similar experiences with grief and moving on, or any other reactions to this post, we'd love to hear them in our comments.
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Wednesday 30 December
By BARBARA DABBS
TEARS FELL AS WELL. MY MOM WAS GREAT, SHE RAISED 9 CHILDREN , ALMOST ALONE. SHE DID HAVE HELP FROM FAMILY AND THE NEIGHBORS. SHE WAS ABLE TO BUY FRESH VEGATABLES FROM A OLD HORE DRAWN CART. MILK FROM A DELIVERY MAN AND BREAD FROM A FRIEND WHO WORK AT FRIEHOFERS BAKERY.. WE HAD TO COME IN WHEN STREET LIGHTS CAME ON SHE WOULD HOLLER OUT THE WINDOW, EACH OF OUR BIRTH MONTH. I TREASURE THOSE DAYS. NOT ONE OF US WOUND UP IN PRISON. WE HAD LOVE AND PLEANTY OF IT HER NAME RUTH WATSON
Reply
Friday 01 January
By Ron J
This is so sad, but at least it is something that is final......to go through a loss when the other party is still alive.....and serving up misery every few days, and useing the kids against you, is much more of a tragedy. My ex used me over the last 7 years just to furthur her life. She was nothing but a parasite that has lied and cheated her way to a nursing career at my, and the childrens exspense. And even now....she is best identified as "passive agressive" and continues to utilize the court to just furthur HER interest.......whats sad is the dumb a** judge who also happens to be a woman was TOTALLY taken in by her weak ass story, and is predisposed 100% on her side. Who says justice is blind???????? This judge has not a clue as to what a parasite this woman is, nor does she know that our children are at risk while with her....(She has spent 100% of her time for her interest and just lays the kids off on her mother....or some other family member so she is not bothered. How many people out there want a nurse that cheated her way to a degree to be treating/caring for them????
This is really the sad story......someone that is still here, bringing more misery than someone that has passed.
rj18181a@aol.com
Wednesday 30 December
By lauren
*sniffle*
Reply
Friday 01 January
By Penny for your thoughts
This seems like a take off from Sex in the City.
Reply
Sunday 03 January
By roseann
SEX IN THE CITY.......THATS A TV SHOW......
THIS IS THE REAL WORLD!!!!!!......FILLED WITH MEMORIES....SAD OR HAPPY.
HOW CAN U COMPARE THE TWO...
YOU NEED TO GET AWAY FRM YOUR TV, AND SEE WHAT REAL PEOPLE ARE LIKE...NOT FICTIONAL PEOPLE ON THE BOOB TUBE...
Friday 01 January
By Choo
Barbara,
Sorry for you loss. Your comment about the "old hore drawn cart" gave me a mental image that brought a smile to my face. I hope 2010 is good to you.
Reply
Thursday 07 January
By terzhan
It is very sad, but the "hore" drawn cart made me giggle too. Also, Ron, who compares death to a divorce obviously has never lost anyone close to them. That was insensitive. It is grief, but a totally different kind of grief.
I lost my husband 6 years ago and I'm still not over it. I found him dead in his workshop where he accidentially electrocuted himself. It is a sight I will never forget and am being treated for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I lost my job of 25 years because I could not function. You will probably be over your loss when you start dating again. I hope you are because you sound like a bitter, jilted man. I hope you find that someone special soon.
Friday 01 January
By Joanne
I didn't find this touching in the least...In fact, it did not appear to be sincere or written from the heart.
Reply
Friday 01 January
By Gina
I agree Joanne
Friday 01 January
By Nell
This broke my heart. My husband passed away on October 20th and New Year's Eve would have been our 11th wedding anniversary. He was my best friend and I miss him so much.
Reply
Friday 01 January
By Sheila George
My husband passed on November 30th.. Only 61. Twelve years after a heart transplant. Funny thing, you know life is fragile and any day can be the last, but even with his medical challenges, I always thought we would grow old together. As with this young man, I think of him daily and sometimes forget he is not next to me...
Friday 01 January
By kat
So sorry for your loss Nell. I too lost my husband of 18 years. I know how hard it is. Some days I feel the pain so bad and it's like a knife in my heart. One small footstep at a time Nell. Thats all we can do. Take care.
Friday 01 January
By sharon
when we loose someone we love so much it dont seem like the heart ache is ever gonna go away.Time is what it is gonna take and alot of it.When we wake in the am or go to bed in the pm we are thinking about them.You have to remember they are always smile with you and apart of them will always be with you.Death is a part of life and we are never prepared for it sometimes it just happeneds so suddenly that are world is torn apart.One thing to do is a get a diary and right what you are feeling at that moment and in time it will start not to hurt so much.Remember when you see a bright star that is shinning that is them smiling back at ya.I lost my dad 17 yrs ago and I have such heart ache that sometimes all I do is cry and I cry alone so knowone can see me.I know deep in my heart he loved me and he knew I loved him to and sometimes that comforts me.Love never goes away after we loose some one but we have to try and heal and move on.
Friday 01 January
By MARJORIE ANN
SORRY NELL, ON THE LOSS OF YOUR BEST FRIEND/HUSBAND. PRAYING THAT THE BLESSED LORD WILL WRAP HIS COMFORTING ARMS AROUND YOU DURING THIS TIME.
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY & ALL YOUR TOMORROWS.
MARJORIE ANN
Friday 01 January
By loss of loved ones
I have had many loses in my life, my first was a friend and neighbor, after that came the one love of my life, Allan, then more losses, grandparents, friends, parents, brother in law, and my little great nephew...what I've learned, and realized through all this is that we never lose the ones we love, then become ethched in our daily lives, they are with us every second of the day and night...when we grieve it makes them sad, we all need to go through that period of time to cry, crying cleanses the soul, and purifies the body, feeling sorry for ourselves, does no one any good...while working in a nursing home I befriended a women who was very old...she became ill, having to work one day and not be able to get to see her, until very late, I was not in the room more than five minutes when she passed away, it was almost as if she waited for me. The strangest feeling came over me, I remember thinking there IS more to death than we think, why would the God, the universe, superior being, whatever you want to call it...not create something more, the more I read the more stories I hear the more I am sure, there is a place where we will all meet. An while we journey here it is never by ourselves...our loved ones are always with us...in our dreams, our thoughts, our everyday existence....bless you and all those you love, and who love you....
Friday 01 January
By SuedN1
Nell, accept my condolances for your loss. I was widowed two years ago when my husband of twenty years and father of our seven children was killed when the work truck he was a passenger in was hit head on by a school bus. He and his 22 year old coworker both died a horrific and violent death. I wish I could tell you that it gets easier, but I am not sure that it does. What I can offer you is hope. Hope means one day you cope better and forge ahead, all the while looking forward to the day you will be together again.
Until that time, never lose hope.
Friday 01 January
By Brittany
Dear Nell, Im so very sorry :( .
That must be tough.
But, the letter was not touching in the least bit (except for the last paragraph).
The last paragraph was a tear jerker.
I am only a teenager,
But I have feelings too. And I'm not one of those snobby, selfish teens, I am a caring, loving teen. I feel so badly for you. Take care.
And to make you feel better,
It was going to happen sometime in life. But, once you are married to someone and they die, its VERY hard to replace them. Dear Nell, I hope you find another man who understands you and cares for you like your husband did. Best wishes for you!
Friday 01 January
By beverly stump
l was blessed with a loving mother her bithday was on the 22 of these mth. she was my best friend and my mentor. l surley miss her very much.lam just thankful when jesus comes for me l will see here again.l took care of here when see became sick with cancer.l was so worried about taking care of here . l didnt get to expess how much l loved here. dont wait to tell them you love them.
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Friday 01 January
By Steve
I had someting like this happen to me it was my High school sweetheart we had been together through high school after gratuation she was going to college in the fall to nurse shool to learn to help handicaped children. One night in September she was heading home and was hit head on buy a pick up truck it kill her almost instally. I greived for a long time after her death her mother and I would meet a couple times a week for coffe I care very much for her mom but little did I realise It was only makeing matters worse for me because it was harder for me to grt on with my life. After a while I told her mom how I felt and she understood so we stoped our weekley coffee breaks but we still kept it touch as the years went by I did find someone else who loved me and who I also loved we were married and just had our 30 anniversy but it can be very hard when you lose some you love even at a young age. Just remember God loves us all and has given us all someone to love.
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Friday 01 January
By susie
Coming from school , do spell check!!!!!!!!!!!